Thursday, September 29, 2016

Card #92
It's a head-scratcher that Matuszek even got a card in this set. He only had 15 at-bats in 1987 and didn't make it to the summer months on the Dodger roster before he was out of baseball for good.

He came to L.A. via trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, who received near-Hall of Famer Al Oliver in return. Raise your hand if you remember the 35 games Al Oliver played on the Dodgers in 1985. If you did, I don't believe you! The time between Steve Garvey and Eddie Murray at first base on the Dodgers was full of stopgap guys like Matuszek. I bet Garvey was secretly loving every depressing minute of it.

Matuszek played baseball and basketball for the University of Toledo during his undergrad days, and has spent some of his post-baseball time helping out adults with special needs.

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Card #701
This is actually Stewart's last card, as he didn't pitch in 1988. Maybe it's just me, but there's something about the lighting and pose that makes this look like an old tobacco card.

Stewart is best known as the long reliever for the Baltimore Orioles, playing on their World Series teams in 1979 and 1983. When you look at the back of his card it's amazing to see the innings he racked up. Between 1979 and 1983 he pitched no fewer than 112. You just don't see that in today's game.

You might also know Stewart for his infamous crack cocaine arrests and prison stint. It appears he came out of jail a better person.